Registration system

Abstract

A method and apparatus for use in printing which includes a print table mounted on a base frame, a support secured to the print table, a vision device secured to the support which is disposed such that the vision device uses a major face of the print table, securing a substrate to the print table, mounting a screen, a device for effecting relative movement between the print table and screen mounting from a first position in which the vision device can view fiducial marks carried by the substrate to a second position in which the screen is positioned between the vision device and the substrate, in which the vision device can view fiducial marks carried by the screen to facilitate the adjustment of relative positions of the screen and substrate so that the fiducial marks on the screen and substrate are in register.

I claim: 
     
       1. Apparatus for use in printing, comprising: a print table mounted on a base frame of the apparatus;   support means secured to the print table;   vision means secured to the support means disposed such that the vision means views a major face of the print table;   means for securing a substrate to the print table;   means for mounting a screen; and   means for effecting relative movement between the print table and screen mounting means, from a first position in which the vision means can view fiducial marks carried by the substrate to a second position in which the screen is positioned between the vision means and the substrate, in which the vision means can view fiducial marks carried by the screen whereby to facilitate the adjustment of the relative positions of the screen and the substrate so that the fiducial marks on the screen and the substrate are in register, thereby effecting registration of screen and substrate.   
     
     
       2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the support means comprises members rigidly joined to form a support frame rigidly attached to a support assembly on which the vision means is mounted by means which firmly and stably secures the vision means but permits adjustment when required. 
     
     
       3. Apparatus as in claim 1 or 2 which further comprises image processing means, adapted to process image data from the vision means, and output processed image data to a display means. 
     
     
       4. Apparatus as in claim 3 wherein the processed image data produces an image as viewed by the vision means, with an additional superimposed variable position graticule. 
     
     
       5. Apparatus as in claim 4 further comprising a means for positioning the variable position graticule adapted to permit control by a human operator. 
     
     
       6. A method of registration of a substrate carrying fiducial marks and a screen using apparatus as in claim 5, wherein the graticule is used to electronically mark the location of the fiducial marks of the substrate, and the support frame and a screen are relatively moved so that the screen fiducial marks are brought into register with the graticule, thus bringing into register the substrate and the screen. 
     
     
       7. A method of bringing into register of a subject substrate with a screen as in claim 6 wherein after marking the location of the fiducial marks of the subject substrate, the location of the graticule is modified by a characteristic correction factor ascertained from a previous test print. 
     
     
       8. Apparatus for use in printing, comprising: a print table mounted on a base frame of the apparatus;   support means secured to the print table;   vision means secured to the support means disposed such that the vision means views a major face of the print table;   means for securing a substrate to the print table;   means for mounting a screen;   means for effecting relative movement between the print table and screen mounting means from a first position in which the vision means can view fiducial marks carried by the substrate to a second position in which the screen is positioned between the vision means and the substrate, in which the vision means can view fiducial marks carried by the screen whereby to facilitate the adjustment of the relative positions of the screen and the substrate so that the fiducial marks on the screen and the substrate are in register; and   image processing means, adapted to process image data from the vision means, and output processed image date; wherein the processed image data produces an image as viewed by the vision means, with an additional superimposed variable position graticule.   
     
     
       9. Apparatus as in claim 8, further comprising a means for positioning the variable position graticule which can be controlled by a human operator. 
     
     
       10. Apparatus as in claim 9 wherein the print table has a subject substrate mounted thereon.